Review of: Boston 111, Sonics 82

Nothing much suprising here. The Sonics were blasted by a superior team and pretty much knew the outcome before the game started. I guess the most suprising aspect about this team at this point is that they never really play above their level enough to win. Even Memphis, Charlotte, Sacramento or the Knicks pull off the occasional stunning win. The Sonics only push teams late into the fourth quarter and then melt. Is pushing the Detroit Pistons until the final minutes with their reserves on the floor really something to be proud of?

The Sonics have to start raising their expectations and stop taking solace in just competing. These are NBA players, they are supposed to compete and play hard. It’s the end of a long road trip, but the Sonics had trouble competing last week against Milwaukee and again Friday at Philadelphia. Fatigue was just an excuse for Wednesday’s loss but for Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo to say that they trailed by just six points with three minutes left in the first quarter says a lot about his expectations at this point of the season.

I remember watching a UCLA post-season review show as a kid and then-coach Walt Hazzard basically said that if the Bruins would have made a few more plays and gotten a few more breaks, they would have been 14-4 in the Pac-10 and in the NCAAs instead of the NIT. Is that really something to build upon? Are tough losses something to be proud of? especially in the NBA? This isn’t college football where the lowly upstart pushed the No. 5-ranked team into the fourth quarter. The standards should be higher here and taking positives out of losses is one thing but using those as building blocks is another. The Sonics need to concentrate more on winning and less on just competing.

SONICS REPORT CARD

Jeff Green — Had a tough time checking Paul Pierce and then hurt his left shoulder and wasn’t a factor after that, a tough road trip for the rookie — C-

Chris Wilcox — Needed a big game for his team to compete Wednesday and he didn’t score in the first half. How’s that for stepping up? — D-

Johan Petro — Collected his second double-double of the season, mostly in garbage minutes but at least he competed hard — C

Kevin Durant — Showed flashed of being a potential All-Star but was alone out there offensively most of the night and it showed — C

Earl Watson — Has had trouble with the quickness of Rajon Rondo and it’s not a good matchup. He was frustrated and really never was into the game — C

Francisco Elson — Eight rebounds in 15 minutes before hurting his knee. May see increased playing time if he is healthy — C+

Luke Ridnour — He played mostly garbage time and finished with two assists in 17 minutes, but he really didn’t stand out — C

Donyell Marshall — Two points and five fouls in 21 minutes and is probably better suited playing for a winner — D-

Damien Wilkins — Miss all four 3-pointers and picked up just one rebound in 19 minutes, nothing much to talk about — C

Mickael Gelabale — Four points on 1-for-4 shooting in 21 minutes. He may have lost his confidence again — C-